Conference noted::bicycle

1893.0. "Two-Way Radios in the Peloton" by LJOHUB::CRITZ (John Ellis to ride RAAM '91) Wed Apr 03 1991 10:47

                  Developing Two-Way Communications for Racers





     Professional cycle racing is about to undergo one of its most

     significant technological revolutions, with the introductions of

     two-way electronic radio communication between riders and their

     coaches.  This season, some teams have already tested one-way links,

     in which cyclists receive information on race situations.  But a

     system allowing riders to talk back to their coaches as well, could be

     implemented within a month.  These plans were revealed to VeloNews by

     the two teams behind the radical development - Toshiba and Motorola -

     which are sponsored by the two global, electronics manufacturers they

     are respectively named after.



     Most likely, the French Toshiba team will be the first to exhibit the

     result of current tests, as it says it might use the system in April,

     whereas Motorola believes that it will introduce it during July's Tour

     de France.  The sponsoring companies of both teams are working

     independently toward the same goal - with the major differences lying

     in their technology.  The net result will be a situation in which

     riders and team personnel can be forewarned much more quickly of

     sudden developments in the race.  Also, deployment of attacks, chase

     and blocks could be more quickly ordered - in similar ways that they

     are in auto racing which has long used such controls between drivers

     and sideline managers.



     Motorola is working on a device that will have the rider wear an

     electronic earpiece, which will be connected to a super-light

     microphone into which the cyclist can talk.  Toshiba, on the other

     hand, is developing a helmet containing an ultra-sensitive voice

     detector, which will pick up the riders' voices, without need of a

     microphone.  These two developments follow the recent, one-way link-up

     tests made by such teams as TVM and Buckler from the Netherlands,

     Tonton Tapis from Belgium, and Toshiba.  Interestingly, however, these

     have reaped mixed results.



     On a more successful note, Tonton Tapis's leading rider, Stephen

     Roche, from Ireland, reported that tests by his teammate, Francis

     Moreau of France, in the 47 km team time trial in Paris-Nice, revealed

     few problems.  "Moreau had some difficulty hearing the other days,"

     Roche revealed.  "He was supposed to get information on splits and

     times, but all he got was a lot of coughing and crackle.  But, given

     time, a two-way link-up would be superb."



     Toshiba director sportif, Bernard Vallet, said he was pleased by

     secret tests the team made on a French car-racing circuit.  Now, he is

     ready to test the team's soon-to-be-released, two-way system.



     Vallet told VeloNews:  "The idea worked very well, very well.  Now we

     are going to have a two-way system, possibly within one month, but

     without a microphone.  The voices will be picked p a by a sensor, a

     bit like they are in car-racing helmets.  But, these helmets will be

     normal cycling helmets, installed with a sensor device."



     Motorola team manager Jim Ochowicz said that the idea for two-way


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     communications was designed primarily as a safety measure, to minimize

     the need for following team cars - of which there are 22 in the Tour

     de France - to accelerate up to fields totaling more than 200 riders.

     "We are trying to develop a two-way radio system between the riders

     and the team car because it is a lot safer for the riders," Ochowicz

     said.  "That is a big priority.  It keeps cars out of the race and

     away from the riders."



     "I think by allowing two-way communication to happen, you can have

     this, although it is probably a little too early to say exactly how it

     will work, It is very, very conceivable over short distances, but

     whether it works on long distances, is still to be seen."



     "But it is definitely going to happen.  The UCI has okayed it.  It

     happens in a number of other sports, and now, cycling is joining.  I

     think there can be a system by the Tour de France, yes.  And I think

     it should be available to all the teams."



     "The idea, as I said, is for safety.  But from a tactical standpoint,

     you won't be waiting for four to six kilometers for everyone - riders

     to team directors - to get race information.  It will happen

     instantaneously.  Information will be available in 30 to 40 seconds."



     "So ...  when a break (attack) gets a 20-second lead, now the chasing

     reaction will be much quicker.  Whereas before, the lead might be up

     to a minute before there would be any communication."



     "Also, you could put a TV in your car and then be able to say to the

     rider to move up, get to the front, or tell him when somebody is going

     (to attack).  You can tell them thins they can't see, as they can do

     us."



     To alleviate the possible problems of crossing lines between various

     teams, Ochowicz said that each radio system would have to have its own

     crystal - a device which will ensure private lines of communications.



     In an era when cycling is undergoing many changes - some good, some

     questionable - this latest change is likely to create mixed reactions

     among the riders.  Already, they are in the throes of controversy over

     the new compulsory helmet law, which provoked its first official

     protest at Paris-Nice, following by a demonstration at

     Tirreno-Adriatico, in Italy.



     When asked about the radio plan, many riders were taken aback.

     Motorola rider Sean Yates, of Great Britain, saw potential

     complications.  "I guess it could be a help," Yates said, "although

     you couldn't have everyone wearing a two-way device.  Then, everyone

     would be talking!  Perhaps the team leader and captain could (wear

     one), plus one or two others."

    Scott,
    
    Thanks for entering that info. It's exciting for me to hear that the
    pros might modernize to that extent being a fan of hi-tech solutions. 
    Possibly they can create even more exciting finishes than the '89 finish 
    to the Tour de France. My only concern is that it doesn't get in the
    way or hinder the teams of the poorer or less hi-tech oriented 
    country's riders. I'd hat to see an "Indy 500 style" of race where the
    team with the highest tech solution wins and not the team with the best
    conditioned and best performing team of athletes. 
    
    It'll be interesting to see if (and how) they implement the two-way
    communications setup. It still might be possible for opposing teams 
    to eavesdrop on their opposition by slipping in their own radios
    an appropriate rec'v channel crystal. Unless the opposition scrambles 
    their communications channel, this could possibly lead to tipping of 
    crucial race strategy to another individual or team. 
    
    Oh, well...this will be an interesting development for the teams on the 
    current and future Tour.
    
    Russ

    Apparantly if you go to a F1 race with a scanner you will not hear the 
    driver.  This is (I have been told) because they carry digital encription 
    kit in the car.  The possibilities of fraudulant use of these kit is 
    enormous (if you draw up beside the DS's car you *know* you are speaking to
    him but a voice with marginal quality (as this will surely be) could be
    anyone...
    
    Secondly there is a point about safety.  In the Le Mans 24 hour it is
    forbidden (and very heavily patrolled) for the pits to initiate
    communication  (they have a `use radio' flag).  If you are lining up
    for a tricky corner in the last 50km of a race, you've 50 very nervous
    riders around you, the pace is hotting up because a break just went
    off, do you *really* need a squalk in your ear?
    
    Rod

    	The base note came from VeloNews Volume 20, Number 5, dated
    	April 8, 1991.
    
    	Scott (for the record)